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Sea Cleaners removed rubbish from under the Weiti River dock.
A group of residents of Riverhaven Drive in Whangaparāoa are working together to rid their local reserve of weeds and animal pests.
Their efforts are being supported by not-for-profit initiative Restore Hibiscus & Bays and the Forest & Bird Pest Free Hibiscus Coast project.
Restore Hibiscus & Bays ecological restoration advisor, Kane Kvasnicka, has been running weed control workshops for neighbours living near the Fairhaven Walkway, alongside the Weiti River.
This area has one of the last mature coastal broadleaf forest habitats in Auckland’s north, but dense patches of wild ginger are preventing the regeneration of native trees. To date, around 15 residents have controlled approximately 80 percent of the wild ginger along the walkway and coastal edge. They have also learnt skills in controlling jasmine and monkey apple.
The next step is to focus on private bush areas bordering the reserve – with neighbours helping neighbours on each other’s properties.
Restore Hibiscus & Bays manager Rachael Randal says this is a great example of the collaboration that they hope to replicate elsewhere on the Hibiscus Coast.
Another positive environmental spinoff is that residents’ concerns were addressed regarding rubbish dumped inside gaps in the concrete dock on the Weiti River.
“Our ecological restoration advisor shared their concerns that the rubbish might leak into the estuary and discussed the issue with the Auckland Council community parks ranger,” Rachael says.
“Eventually, Council’s community facilities and waste management teams organised for Sea Cleaners to remove the rubbish – all 2000 litres of it!”
Finally, the cracks in the dock were sealed to avoid further dumping.
Join the war on weeds
Other areas that would benefit from weed control projects like this are being investigated, and suggestions from the community are welcome – email info@restorehb.org.nz with any potential sites.
